BOSTON -- A Worcester Democrat was appointed the acting president of the Massachusetts Senate Monday, after Stanley Rosenberg announced he was temporarily stepping down as senators launched an investigation into his husband's alleged sexual assaults.

After meeting privately for more than eight hours, senators formally elected Harriette Chandler, the Senate majority leader, as Rosenberg's replacement for the span of the investigation.

Rosenberg, of Amherst, announced his decision to step aside Monday morning, just days after his office was engulfed in controversy following accusations by four men alleging that Rosenberg's husband, Bryon Hefner, had either groped or kissed them against their will.

Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, right, stepped down Monday as president to allow an independent investigation into claims his husband, Bryon Hefner, left, sexually assaulted four people on Beacon Hill.
ap file photos

The Boston Globe's Yvonne Abraham published a column on Thursday with the men's accusations against Hefner. Five days later, the Senate has a different leader.

"I would like to take a leave of absence as your president, effective immediately, for the duration of the investigation," Rosenberg said in a letter to colleagues. "I believe this is in the best interests of the Senate. I want to ensure that the investigation is fully independent and credible, and that anyone who wishes to come forward will feel confident that there will be no retaliation."

Immediately, other senators, as well as Gov. Charlie Baker and Attorney General Maura Healey, called for an independent investigation into Hefner's actions, and Rosenberg's possible role.

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The Senate Ethics Committee will oversee a special, independent investigation.

In a speech to her colleagues after being elected acting president Monday night, Chandler said the last few days have been "so turbulent, so tragic, so surprising and so sad." She is the second woman to be Massachusetts Senate president, following Therese Murray, who served until 2015.

Members met in closed-door caucus for hours Monday, deciding the future of the Senate just steps away from the president's office -- and on a hall lined with portraits of former Senate presidents.

Lowell Sen. Eileen Donoghue, a Democrat whose name was said to be floated as a possible replacement for Rosenberg, said Monday night that Chandler "will do a great job. Her steady hand will be important during the investigation. I look forward to continuing to work with her."

On Friday, Sen. Barbara L'Italien, an Andover Democrat, began the calls for Rosenberg to temporarily step aside, saying in a statement that anyone with information needs to feel safe coming forward. Rosenberg maintaining the presidency, she suggested, could jeopardize that.

"I have known and respected Stan Rosenberg for 15 years and it pains me that this level of transparency is required but I believe that it is warranted," L'Italien, who is running for Congress in the state's 3rd District, wrote.

Sen. Michael Barrett, a Democrat whose district includes Chelmsford and Bedford, said in a statement Monday morning that the "upsetting allegations" warrant an independent investigator, but "none of us is legally or morally responsible for the actions of our spouse unless we're aware of it and don't try to stop it."

Rosenberg, he said, is innocent until proven otherwise.

Rosenberg gave a short statement outside his office on Friday, saying he would cooperate with any investigation and that his husband would enter a treatment program for alcohol addiction.

"My heart goes out to anyone who may have been hurt, and I am committed to helping anyone who has been harmed," he said. "This has been the most difficult time in my political life, and in my personal life."

In an updated statement Monday night, Rosenberg said he looks forward to a "thorough, fair, and independent investigation.

"I thank my colleagues for providing this opportunity and have every confidence that the Acting President will help the Senate focus on a robust agenda for 2018," he said.

A crucial factor in the investigation is likely to be whether Rosenberg knew about his husband's alleged assault, and whether Hefner crossed a supposed "firewall" between his personal relationship with Rosenberg and the business of his office.

On Friday, Rosenberg reiterated that he believes Hefner did not interfere with Senate business.

House Minority Leader Bruce Tarr said Rosenberg's decision to step down is "responsive to the Senate's need to move forward." The Gloucester Republican agreed that it could make victims more likely to come forward.

Healey and Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley said Monday they are prepared to launch a criminal investigation into Hefner's reported misconduct, and they urged any victims to contact their offices.

"Sexual assault is a crime," the prosecutors said, "and we want to send a clear message that harassment and assault of any kind will not be tolerated."

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